Since I am posting today's blog I obviously survived today's canoeing adventure. However, that story will have to wait.

We started the day with a tour of the Cesky Krumlov Castle's theater. It was pretty breathtaking. It is one of only two remaining baroque theaters still in existence in the world. This theater still holds performances five times a year. When they do hold performances they are done completely as they would have been done in the 1600 and 1700s. The musicians must light their music stands with candles and use the sheet music from the original performances. The actors must use the costumes and lighting from then as well. The most amazing thing  is the set work and how it was changed with a set of pulleys and ropes from under the stage in a matter of seconds. They use these same sets today. I wish we could have taken pictures, but it was not allowed.

We then headed off to the Eggenberg Brewery for a tour. Once again we somehow ended up on a private tour. One thing that amazes me over here is that they do not seem to be quite as concerned about safety standards on tours and in the workplace as we are in the US. The guide pretty much took us everywhere and right up next to the machines. He would simply say "be careful" or "don't touch" or "watch your step." However, we were everywhere even next to working machines and forklifts.

 

We even met a couple of the workers who were lifting empty kegs onto the conveyer belt and then lifting the filled ones off and onto a pallet. The best part is they were able to drink beer on the job. The guide said whatever kept them going.

Then we headed home to get ready for our great canoeing adventure. When we got to the rental shops the man informed us that one of the two rapids we would encounter was "closed" due to the repairs from flooding in June. We would however, be able to do the rapids at the end of our trip if we wanted or we could end the trip at the shore just before the rapids. Oh darn...no rapids...I think he thought I was disappointed as he tried to convince me I could do the ones at the end. Was he crazy. If I made it to the end of this trip dry there was no way I was going to chance it with rapids.

Our trip would be 15 km which I figured out was about 9.5 miles for us Americans. The shuttle would pick us up in 4 hours which he assured us was plenty of time even if we went really slow. Now, I don't know why he would look at us and think we would possibly go slow but whatever.

So, off we were. One canoe, two paddles, two life jackets (that there was no way I was wearing), a water proof tub to store our stuff and two babes ready to hit the water.  It was beautiful. We started in old town where we were surrounded by lots of people. Lots of turns, but the sun was out and the water was clear. Obviously these pictures weren't taken from the boat, but to give you a view.

 



 We passed lots of little river side pivo (beer) and refreshment spots, but all we kept thinking about was pushing through and that 4 hour time limit we were given. We certainly didn't want some search party to come after us. We saw lots of interesting "people" sites on the river. Dogs in rafts and canoes, people wearing leis, people with funny hats, and LOTS of people with blue and white horizontal striped shirts. We couldn't figure out what this was about. A family reunion of hundreds? A convention for some company? Some political statement? A new fashion trend I needed to learn about?  ( This one I wasn't too keen on because horizontal stripes aren't the best for those of us who are not "petite"). Nope....come to find out that the Navy of the Czech Republic wears blue and white striped shirts and it is a tradition to do so on the river. Hmmm....maybe someone should have told some of those topless women that?

So to summarize. We made it...and we were so worried about time that we ended up an hour and 10 minutes early. We are overachievers. No slips, trips, falls, tips, or accidents. We did get stuck in shallow water once and Stevie had to unstick us...but not bad. Now...will we be able to move tomorrow?